Apparatus for producing arch supports



June 26, 1951 M, l.. NlLEs 2,558,690v

APPARATUS FoP PRoDUcING'ARcH SUPPORTS Filed sept. 17, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l ww" uw INVENTOR.

June 26, 1951 M. L.. NILEs 2,558,690

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARCH SUPPORTS Filed sept. 17, 1949 s Sheets-snm 2 June 26, 1951 M. L. NlLEs 2,558,690

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARCH SUPPORTS Filed Sept. 17, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

atenteci June 2.6,T

UNITED VSTATES PATENT, OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARCH SUPPORTS Michael L. Niles, Milwaukee, Wis'., assignor to Van Horne KaestnerLeather Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 17, 1943, Serial N o. 116,335!

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of manufacturing shoes and relates more particularly to an improved method of and apparatus for forming arch supin an extremely simple, efficient, accurate and economical manner.

It has heretofore been customary, in the manufacture of shoes, to provide supporting means for the longitudinal arch of the wearers foot. In

some cases, these arch supports are formed of an integral part of the insole blank in the form of a side wing extension which is shaped by hand in a suitable manner to conform with the shoe last; and in other cases a separate at platelike element or cookie, is attached to the side portion of the insole and is thereafter manually shaped to the last as the shoe is built. These types of arch supports are manually formed of leather or the like which is relatively flexible; and because of the nature of the material and the manner of hand molding the support as the shoe is built, considerable difliculty has been encountered with such supports in that they do not retain their shape but rather break down prematurely under wearv and thereby become ineffective for the intended purpose. Y

It is therefore a more specic object of this invention to provide a novel mode of eiciently producing improved preshaped arch supports of, relatively flexible materials which obviate the difficulties heretofore present. i

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for effectively preshaping arch supports which is extremely simple, compact and durable in construction and highly efficient, rapid and labor-saving in actual operation.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved moldingA machine for quan- Still another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of eiciently preshaping arch 'supports 'formed of leather or the like and especially adapted for use with Goodyear welts for prolonging the life of the shoe and the effectiveness ofthe support.

A further specic object of theV present invention is to provide an improved method of forming an arch supporting cookie from a flat blank which comprises, shaping the blank to nally form the supporting body by clamping the same with a longitudinal edge projecting therefrom, and thereafter finally distorting the projecting edge while retaining the blank firmly clamped to form a flange extending in one direction throughout the major length of the body and a lip projecting in an opposite direction withY respect to the body. f

A still further spcifie object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for forming an arch supporting cookie compris-A ing, relativelymovable clamping members having adjacent cooperating surfaces forreceiving and clamping the major portion of a atblank therebetween to distort and nally Ashape the supporting bpdy, the clamping members terminating short of a longitudinal edge of the blank to cause the edge to project beyond the members, and a flange-forming member movable tages of the improvements will be apparent from.

tity production of preshaped arch supporting members which may be readily operated by a novice and wherein all parts may be. quickly assembled and/or dismantled with the aid of ordinary tools for inspection, replacement or repair. An additional specific object of my present in vention is to provide an improved machinefor permanently shaping arch supports prior to the attachment thereof to the shoe insole, and wherein the, parts may be readily interchanged to produce either left or right foot supporting mem-- bers. f

relative to the clampingmembers to distort theI projecting edge portion of the blank toform an attachment flange.

These and other specific objects and advanthe following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting my present invention, and of the steps involved in my improved method, and of the mode Vof constructing and 'of utilizing improved arch support forming apparatus embodying the improvements, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanyingand forming a part of this specication, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of a typical arch-supporting cookie forming appa- 4 ratus constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing the several parts thereof in inactive starting positions; Y

Fig. 2 is a similar fragmentary perspective view..

of the machine, showing theclamping and forming, members in operative yclosed position with.

aleather blank clamped therebetween and with of the device with the wiper plate raised aftercompletion of its operation and with the clamping jaws again spread apart to reveal the `finally formed cookie;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofatypicalfinner sole for a right shoe, showingVA oneofgthe, im-

proved molded cookies secured to the,y bottom.

face thereof;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view cfa lower clamping member for forming cookies for left shoes, asl

distinguished from that, for right shoes shown in the preceding views, and `with a inallyl formed cookie therein;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view oa flange-forming wiper plate` used with .the .Clamping member of Fig; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary schematic side view of the. several ,cooperating parts.

While the method and apparatus constituting the present invention hasybeen shown and described herein as being especially applicable in connection with the production of A arch supporting cookies of a particular design illustrated as being secured to the bottom faceof a known type of shoe insole` in a particular manner, it is not my desire or intent to thereby unnecessarily limit-or restrict the scope or utility thereof; and it is also contemplated that specic descriptive terms employed herein be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

In accordance with my present improved` method of forming arch supporting cookies, I initially cut a relatively thin-and nat blank of leather to the desired--sizeand configuration, the edges of whichare-then skived i-n-the usual manner. I then shape theY blank to finally fformthe arch supporting .body of the-cookie by-y clamping the same under pressurewith a `longitudinal-edge projecting therefrom'.Vv Thereafter, 'while retaining .the supporting body ofthe blank firmlyl rib of the usualinsolathereby impartingeffectiveness to the cookiegasan archsupport and also increasing vits eletiveness and length of:

time it serves in aiding to maintaintheshape of the shoe.

In carrying on commercial exploitation of my improved arch supportingcookie' forming method, the apparatusl shown in the accompanying drawings has proven especially enicientin rap-v idly and economically producing ,the `cookies in large quantities. Referring to thedrawings. the. improved cookie forming apparatus shownthere--; in comprises, in general a. main frame ...I having-V a lower stationary work supporting bed or base II and an upper bridge piece I2 secured to the bed Il by vertical tie rods I3; a lower clamping member or forming die I4 lxedly mounted on the bed II and having an upper work molding surface I5; an upper clamping member or forming die I6 supported bythe bridge piece I2 for vertical movement relativeto the lower die I4 and having a lower work engaging and clamping Isurface I'I cooperable with the surface I5 of the die I4; a pair of elongated vertical guide membersV I8 .rig-idly. secured to the bridge piece I2 of the frame II] by bolts IIJ or the like and adapted toreceive and guide a carrier member or slide 20. therebetween.. .the slide 20 being vertically Vmovable-along Ttheeguides I8 by means of power applied to the upper end of a drive rod 2I in any well knownmannerand a flange forming member or; wiper plate 22 secured to the slide 20 as by means of screws 23 or the like and movable therewith. rpast .the..clamping members I4, I 6 as will hereinafter `molejfullyV appear.

The formingdies- I4, I6 are. provided. with. plain frontfaces 24, 2.5., lrespectively, lying in the same vertical plane;l andthe lower die I4 hasanextension 26 at one ,endof its face 24, the ,upper end of which Vvprojects. upwardly and outwardly, away fromthe molding surface. I5` thereof to forman inclined lip 21, `while,theupner die. I6A has anextension 28 at the end of itsiace,25,V thelower end of which.iscorreSDOndingly inclined. as vat 29. for cooperationwith the. lip 21,- As shown, the lower V die Illmay, be conveniently..mo11nted 0n thesupportingbed II .by .means ofa -mounting plate 30 'secured tot a, medialportionof the bed IIV by bolts V.ILor thelikethe plate 3c ycarryingy a supporting -blo'ck,.32. to whichjthe base 33, of the.die.l.4-is. rigidly .attached in. any suitable'manner. The .upper die memberIBj is vertically actuated by'hydraulic, pressure or the like applied in'l a wellknown manner. to an actuating ro d 34 such Aas shown ,inwFig 8 the` actuatine mechanism, notshown., being. supported by the, bridgev piece .I2'j'oi thernainfraine I0.in a convenient manner., t As,` indicated hereinabove, the wiper pl,ate .22 Ais.seei 1red..to the slide 20 for vertical movementtherewth; and referring particularly to FigjZthis. plate 22 has a wiping surfaceA 35v conformingto and .CQQperable with the front faces 24, zoftherespective dieskI4, I6 and a cutting edgecooperabl'e with a side of theextension..25,. 28V upon .downward .movement of the plate 22.' The drverod. .ZI may .be `secured toV the slideg2v0j in .any Suitable'mannenl as by means of a pivot pin 21 piercinglugs,38A formed integraI .withthe slideZ.; and this rod 21 .is also vertically actuated 'in a known. manner by hydraulic pressure orfthe. like, the length of the stroke being suitablyadjustableso as to vary the distance vof travel of the slide 20'.'

The operation of 'the device thus described ink the.,.lorodllctorl..ofY` arch ESupporting cookies is asfollows. Withjheupper die, I6 andwiper plate 22 raised as shown inLFig. 1, to,inactive.position, an initiallyprepared flatblank 39 of leather or Composition materialis positioned.- between the adjacent forminasurfaces. 15..,1 l1 Qf the respective Wdies I4, I6 vwitha'longitudinal edge of the flat. blank 3.9,projecting-outwardly ,from-.the front faces. 24.. 25; 0f .the dies. a. .distance approximately equaltothe widthpf the lip21 formed, by the extension p26'.4 .The .u ppferdie:LISb isthen actuated,l

downwardly. under... pressure to irrnly. clamp. .the

blank ,39 y,between the...,conperatingy 4,forming sur-.

faces I5,'I`I of'the dies as shown in Fig. 2, there".V

by shaping the blank to finally form the arch supporting body of the cookie with the major length of the longitudinal edge of the blank 39 projecting outwardly from the die faces 24, 25 and the remaining length of the longitudinal edge clamped between the adjacent inclined surfaces 2'I, 29 of the extensions 2G, 28 respectively. The slide 20 is thereafter actuated downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 3, with the surface 35 of the plate 22 wiping over the faces 24,25 -of the dies, the cutting edge 36 of the plate 22 cooperating with the side of the extension 26 of -the lower die I4 to cut the projecting edge of theY blank 3 9 into a major and a minor length withv the minor length of the blank edge remaining firmly clamped between the upwardly inclined extension surfaces 21, 29 as the major length thereof is distorted downwardly by the downward movement of the wiper plate 22. After passing the projecting edge of the blank 39, the wiper plate z2 is withdrawn upwardly and the upper die I6 is likewise raised with the finally molded cookie being shown in Fig. 4 as resting upon the lower die I4.

The arch supporting cookie thus formed comprises a main arch supporting body or side portion 40 having an integral attachment flange 4I projecting therefrom in one direction throughout the major length of one longitudinal edge and an attachment lip 42 projecting therefrom in another direction throughout the remaining length of the longitudinal edge; and the molded cookie is adapted for attachment to the bottom ribbed face of the usual shoe insole 43 as illustrated in Fig. 5. While the apparatus has been specifically shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive with lower and upper forming dies I4, I6 respectively and a wiper plate 22 adapted for producing arch supporting cookies for right shoes, it should be understood that arch supporting cookies for left shoes may be readily produced in like manner with the same apparatus by merely changing the dies and wiper plate in an obvious manner; and Figs. 6 and 7 respectively show a lower forming member or die I4 for left shoe cookies and a wiper plate 22 therefor, a finally molded cookie being shown in position in the die I4 of Fig. 6.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent that my present invention provides an improved molded arch supporting cookie adapted to be manufactured from relatively inexpensive stock and molded to a definite predetermined shape formed for convenient attachment to the usual insole to effectively shape the shoe while affording an extremely efficient arch support. By utilizing the improved method in the manufacture of these cookies, the production rate thereof may be enhanced to a maximum with the utmost economy, eiiiciency and accurateness. Obviously, the improved apparatus shown and described herein for producing the cookies in accordance with my present method is simple and compact in construction and eiiicient in operation. The device comprises relatively few parts, all of which are readily accessible for inspection, adjustment, replacement, and/or repair; and the dies I4, I6 and wiper plate 22 may all be quickly removed and replaced by corresponding dies and wiper plate for either left or right shoe cookies, as desired, by merely upwardly removing the carrier 2d, after removal of the pin 3l and thereafter removing screws 23 to detach the plate 22 and -by also unbolting the dies I4, I6 from their respective supports. The

` devicemaybe operated by a novice'with provision of suitable controls for the pressure mechanisms,` and all hand molding operations are eliminated through use of the machine. The improved apparatus has, in fact, gone into extensive commercial use and'has proven highly successful and practical in actual operation.

It should be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact steps of the production method or to the precise details of construction of the apparatus, herein shown and described, since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which -this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for forming an arch supporting cookie from a at blank comprising, a lower clamping member having an upper work molding surface, an upper clamping member movable vertically relative to said lower clamping member and having a lower work engaging surface cooperable with the upper surface of said lower member to clamp the blank therebetween, said lower and upper members having corresponding front faces lying in the same vertical plane terminating short of a longitudinal edge of the blank to cause said edge to project beyond the front faces of said members, an extension projecting outwardly beyond said front faces at one end of each of said members, said extensions having adjacent cooperating surfaces for gripping a lip portion of said projecting edge of the blank, and a wiper plate vertically movable relative to said members and along the front faces thereof, said plate having a wiping surface cooperable with the faces of said members and a cutting edge cooperable with said extensions to distort and cut the free projecting edge portion of the blank to form an attachment flange laterally beyond said lip portion along said longitudinal edge.

2. Apparatus for forming an arch supporting cookie from a flat blank comprising, a lower clamping member having an upper work molding surface, an upper clamping member movable vertically relative to said lower clamping member and having a lower work engaging surface cooperable with the upper surface of said lower member to clamp the blank therebetween, said lower and upper members having corresponding front faces lying in the sam-e vertical plane terminating short of a longitudinal edge of the blank to cause said edge to project beyond the front faces of said members, an extension projecting outwardly beyond said front faces at one end of each of said members, said extensions having adjacent cooperating upwardly directed surfaces for gripping a lip portion of said projecting edge of the blank and distorting the same in one direction, and a wiper plate vertically movable relative to said members and along the front faces thereof, said plate having a wiping surface cooperable with the faces of said members and a transverse cutting edge cooperable with said extensions to simultaneously distort and cut said projecting edge portion of the blank to form a lip and an oppositely directed attachment ange along said longitudinal edge thereof.

3. Apparatus for forming an arch supporting cookie from a flat blank comprising, a lower clamping member having an upper work molding surface, an upper clamping member movable vertically relative to said lower clamping member and having a lower work engaging surface comin'ating'fshort of avlongitudinal edge o'f -the blank f -to Icause said 'edge v5to project beyond 'the @front faces of said members, means associated with the ,Trontrfaces o'f said Amembers for gripping 'antidis- 'tmfting ia lip portion of said projectingfedg'e 'of the blankiinone direction, Kar-ida wiper plate Vert-i fca-lly movable relative to said `members 'and along theviront faces vthereof izo-:distort said projecting edge portion of theblank adjacent 'the projecting ip portion thereof to `form yan y'attastzhmerit ilange along the major length of said .longitudinal edgeiu 1-,1'3Oj1238'2 8: fsad piaite-lhavirr'g fa'euwngfedge cooperablewith Ts dllipgripping'me'ans ftocuft said "flange-adjaicent@said flip portion;

1L. TNILES.'

REFERENCES CIT-ED 'The"""f.o'vll'oiivfrlg references are of record Vin 'the 1e'fof this patent:

lSI'A'IIES PATENTS 'Number A Name Date `286,1i32 Hatch Oc't. 9, "1883 327,244 Dance] Sept. j29, 1885 3923364' nGX Nov. v6, -18'38 Bifock Mar. 20. A19115 

